The reform, which applies to companies with assets below £35bn, is part of a package of 30 ‘Edinburgh reforms’ announced by the chancellor in the Scottish capital last week. Others include giving regulators the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority new secondary objectives of growth and competitiveness, reviewing the senior managers and certification regime, and relaxing fund-raising restrictions on building societies so they can compete with retail banks.
Chris Hayward, policy chair at the City of London Corporation, described the reform package as ‘positive news for financial services’, while James Watkins, head of policy at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said they were ‘broadly supportive’.
However, shadow city minister Tulip Siddiq said: ‘Reforms such as ring fencing and the senior managers regime were introduced for good reason.’
